norspeed
Member
How easy is it to up grade the radio in the 2010 fiat 500, and add a reversing camera
General How easy is it to up grade the radio in the 2010 fiat 500, and add a reversing camera ?
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General How easy is it to up grade the radio in the 2010 fiat 500, and add a reversing camera ?
Piccolo Nero e Bella
Prominent member
Not simple if you haven't done that sort of work for 30 years! I'm planning to have mine professionally installed in the new year.
spleenharvester
Member
I have done both of these things on my 2011 model. Upgraded my Radio to an XTRONS 4GB/64GB unit and we've been very happy with it since. I'd never touched a car radio before and found it easy enough to do.
The reversing camera was a bit more involved. I can't remember all the steps but it involved tapping power from the reverse light bulb. I used this one, available by a lot of generic brands as 'model 7301'. It's not brilliant quality but it works. There's a small LED that fits next to the camera so that you still get license plate illumination. There are a lot of reversing cameras in different sizes so do measure yours and make sure it's the right size.
The reversing camera was a bit more involved. I can't remember all the steps but it involved tapping power from the reverse light bulb. I used this one, available by a lot of generic brands as 'model 7301'. It's not brilliant quality but it works. There's a small LED that fits next to the camera so that you still get license plate illumination. There are a lot of reversing cameras in different sizes so do measure yours and make sure it's the right size.
Can I ask a seriously dumb question? I’m looking to do the same thing you’ve done, and in your review on Amazon you said you “didn’t tap the trigger wire”. Is that a separate, third wire that would go to the head unit?
So in your case you’re only using 2 wires - power and the video feed?
spleenharvester
Member
It's been a long time so I can't really remember what I meant by that unfortunately - I definitely didn't connect the small red trigger wire to the radio at least, but can't remember which of those two power cables they have labelled I connected. I think it worked because the Xtrons head unit automatically looks for a rear camera signal so it didn't need a trigger - before I installed the camera it would show a "no signal" screen when reversing. If you still need this info I can take a look at the wiring this week if you want.
Thanks. I'm just trying to get myself prepared to install the Xtrons. I'm debating trying to wire up a rear camera at the same time, but it sounds like it's quite a bit of work to pull it through the boot lid wire conduit, and that I could damage the wires in there in the process. I might just install the radio "as is" and explore adding the rear camera at a later date.
ZaphodB
Established member
I'm guessing the trigger wire is to go to the reverse switch (same as switches the reverse lamp) on older cars.
On later cars I'm guessing the reverse is triggered/sensed via canbus by the head unit direct?, negating the need for a hard connection to sense reverse.
On later cars I'm guessing the reverse is triggered/sensed via canbus by the head unit direct?, negating the need for a hard connection to sense reverse.
There's no way I'd want to unnecessarily disturb the hatch wiring on a 2010 500. That was one of the worst years for issues; mine failed after less than four years from new.
Mine is a 2017, but thanks.
i'm still unclear what I'm going to find when I take the radio out, whether I can reuse the DAB antenna which I presume must be there since I have DAB on the uConnect head unit. This is the one I've bought is an Xtrons IA72500FLS - which doesn't mention having a DAB tuner built in, but does have an optional DAB+ USB module you can buy.
i'm still unclear what I'm going to find when I take the radio out, whether I can reuse the DAB antenna which I presume must be there since I have DAB on the uConnect head unit. This is the one I've bought is an Xtrons IA72500FLS - which doesn't mention having a DAB tuner built in, but does have an optional DAB+ USB module you can buy.
Sorry; I was reading the thread quickly and just picked up on the first post.
By 2017 I understand the wiring issue had been addressed, so disregard my earlier comment.
spleenharvester
Member
My Xtrons unit would display "no signal" whenever we reversed before the reversing cam was installed, so if yours does the same then you could probably do the same as I did and not bother connecting the trigger wire.
Definitely encourage you not to pull it through the conduit, not only is it a pain in the backside but also you're likely to open a can of worms as the harnesses are falling apart already on most newer 500s lol (though I appreciate others have said it's less of an issue with newer models). You can hide it behind the various panels easily enough.
Thanks a lot. I’m going to go ahead an install the headunit first and deal with a rear camera at a later date, so as not to put too much on my plate in one go.
